In a crucial top-of-the-table clash against the Yakult Swallows, the Hanshin Tigers made a major shake-up to their batting order. Regular second-hole hitter Takumu Nakano was moved down to fifth, while Shota Morishita took over the second spot for the first time in his professional career. The draft-pick cleanup trio of Teruaki Sato (third), Yosuke Oyama (fourth), and Nakano (fifth) all moved up.
Oyama returned to the starting lineup after being benched for the first time this season in the game against the DeNA BayStars on the 9th, marking his first start in three games. Manager Atsushi Fujikawa had previously stated that Oyama’s absence was due to consideration of his physical condition.
Right-handed pitcher Isamu Nishi made his second start of the season, forming a battery with catcher Takumi Fushimi, who celebrated his 36th birthday on that day. Nishi, a veteran right-hander, made his 300th consecutive start, closing in on the all-time record held by Shinichi Yamauchi (Nankai, Hanshin), who is just 11 games ahead.
Below are the starting lineups for both teams.
**Hanshin Tigers:**
1. Center field: Takatera
2. Right field: Morishita
3. Third base: Sato
4. First base: Oyama
5. Second base: Nakano
6. Left field: Fukushima
7. Catcher: Fushimi
8. Shortstop: Obata
9. Pitcher: Nishi
**Yakult Swallows:**
1. Center field: Maruyama
2. Left field: Santana
3. Catcher: Koga
4. Second base: Uchiyama
5. Third base: Takeoka
6. First base: Osuna
7. Right field: Sawai
8. Shortstop: Ito
9. Pitcher: Yoshimura
